US
If there is such a term as an “avid job hunter”, I would definitely fit the description perfectly – not that I take pride in being one. After dozens of interviews for an analyst role with financial institutions, small setups, boutique funds and corporates, I can safely say that I have met many people from different background at different levels.
To put things in perspective first, I am just your average job hunter, with few years of analytical work experience. I have a reasonable, but not fantastic CV. Here’s what I’ve learnt from my interviews so far.
1) The fund managers
This group came across as highly aloof, to the extent of being almost cruel. “Do you have experience in this industry?” “No, but I ….” And you can see that you have already lost their interest. Which amazes me: Why was I even selected for the interview?
2) The banks
The process is highly structured: personality profiling, situational profiling, verbal and reasoning tests etc. You would have thought that you are participating in a graduate recruitment programme as a freshie all over again. You think you’ve done really well, but you end up getting a rejection, or not even a rejection – you don’t even hear back.
3) The local MNCs
Unfortunately, in my dealings with these corporates, most of them have failed to impress me. One interviewer told me that he can construct a financial model in five minutes when I was telling him about my previous job scope. Another went so far as to say that he is acquainted with some government officials. How was that relevant to the role? I simply have no idea. The interviews were painful, and seemed more like an avenue for these bosses to talk about their accomplishments than for me to discuss about my potential contribution to the company.
4) The public sector
In a Singapore context, the first word that comes into everybody’s mind about government-related jobs is “bureaucracy”. And this is what I observed as well. Despite the proclaimed effort to introduce new creativity and fresh perspectives into the sector, the notion to play safe and hire candidates with excellent academic results is still there, even when the positions are not entry-level ones.
Most of the time you have to fill in four or five pages of application forms, which require details down to specific grades for each subject taken at the GCE ‘O’ level examination you sat more than 10 years ago. What is the relevance of my school chemistry results to the investment role I am applying for? Again, it beats me.
The views are those of the author and not of eFinancialCareers
very well said. i am experiencing this also :(
Good Article, The mind set of the hiring managers should change…! Its an awful experience in finding a suitable job….! Even if we are suitable the hiring managers are very keen to hire unsuitable candidate or the candidate shows less interst for the role than the one who is really intrested for the role with fully qualified. This is my experience coz we can see the candidates who have been selected for the role through social networking sites when they update their profile. This experience is really a hurting one.
And don’t forget the worst of the lot – headhunters – keyword based, no courtesy, and more loyal to the hiring than the hiring company itself.
what’s happening is really manifestation of a HR dislocation, I was once asked by HR of a top Aussie bank to sit for such tests..here I was being headhunted for a desk head and I could care for is “how much would I get paid in terms of bonuses” what a turnoff pissed off
I love point 4 !
Good article. I am in a similar situation and what frustrates me is that after you have discussed your profile, previous experience and aspirations, the “executive recruiter” suggests a role that is completely unsuitable! I have a lot of experience in risk assurance, internal audit and compliance – but I don’t have a first class degree. I rarely reach the interview stage – it’s ridiculous.
Excellent article! Especially like point 3!!
I couldn’t agree with you more. You have stressed key points why applying and hiring in Singapore is one of the most despised in the region. Just my two cents worth.
Putting yourself in the interviewee’s shoes
1) Instead of indirectly asking “Do you have experience in this industry”, he could have said “What connections do you have to bring into our portfolio?”
3) MNC implies multiple, diversification, expansion. I am telling you what we got, how could you help me to branch out?
2) Banks. usually percieve as a more stable career and it is not a statutory board. Probably the attraction of so many potential candidates has justified a big investment in headhunting to get the best among the crowd. That’s why you are being told to do all the different “HR” tests. It is not that they have not replied to you. The tests results have confused themselves and they can’t make a selection.
4) Statutory Board. Iron Bowl. Once you get in, there’s no way you will be retrenched. People working in this area may be waiting for their retirement. Nothing should go wrong between now and retirement. Let’s take things slow. Don’t make decision that could jeopardise your current peaceful situation. Be pedantic, follow the rules, follow what is written black and white. Wala! isn’t this what a nerd suppose to be? Ok, we’ll hire someone with good grades.
There is no doubt that there are some idiots or book munchers sitting and interviewing the candidates, this shows the future of meritocracy.
I was once asked in an interview to design an application similar to google earth.
Good article.I’m also experiencing the same and best part is I hardly got an interview for the last 9 months. Me too fedup finding jobs in Singapore!!!
This is quite a good description! Maybe the answer is…since you cannot improve yourself to suit the environment, maybe you you change the environment itself! Give other financial centres usch as SH/HK/BKK/KL a go as well. to expand your search!
Liked the article, most of sessions are irrelevant , and worst part you never hear back
Yeah, agree. Job hunting here could be quite frustrating. The hiring side always try to rush you into interviews, then giving no feedback at all…
And when they do offer you a job, they always rush you to start right away. But when you really joined, only to find they have no particular jobs for you to do for a month..What’s the rush for??
Oh recruiters here are very useless too. I came across only 1 who is very good. Was able to provide accurate info abt job details. who to meet and prepare you before interviews and follow ups. Which is the basic job for recruiters. Maybe All the others are so useless ,made that one look particular good..Most of them just scan some keywords from the offer to match your cv , send you a name and address to meet for interview. They are more like the company’s agent, they don’t care at all what the job seeker’s needs. Closing a deal fast is all they are after to. They are just sales rather than career consultant. Just like those RM working at private banking, supposedly to act on client’s best interest, but ending up chasing sales transactions for commission. No wonder they are losing out trust and faith from clients.